The Epic Battle Between Salmon and Bears
In The Epic Battle Between Salmon and Bears, narrator Andrew Scott describes how, as autumn arrives in southern Alaska, the landscape transforms along with the weather! Chilly temperatures and storms bring heavy rain, flooding the rivers just in time for one of nature’s greatest events. Millions of Pacific salmon make their epic journey upstream, leaping over waterfalls while hungry grizzly bears wait for their biggest feast of the year. The bears battle for the best spots, catching up to 30 salmon a day to pack on weight for the winter ahead — but for the salmon, it’s a life-or-death challenge to make it home. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Earth’s Great Seasons, which reveals how seasonal changes shape the planet and its wildlife.
Lesson Express
Q: How do autumn storms and heavy rainfall contribute to the salmon migration and the survival of grizzly bears?
A: The storms and rain cause rivers to flood, creating the conditions salmon need to return to their birthplace and spawn. This influx of salmon provides a crucial food source for grizzly bears, helping them gain the weight necessary for hibernation.
Q: If climate change caused warmer autumns with less rain in southern Alaska, how might this affect both the salmon migration and the grizzly bears’ ability to survive the winter?
A: With less rain, rivers might not flood enough to allow salmon to migrate upstream, leading to fewer fish reaching their spawning grounds. This would also mean less food for grizzlies, making it harder for them to gain the necessary fat reserves for hibernation, potentially reducing their survival rates.
Q: Why do the largest male grizzlies fight for the best fishing spots, and how does this behavior impact the overall bear population?
A: The strongest males fight to secure the best positions because those areas provide the highest chance of catching salmon efficiently. This competitive behavior ensures that the strongest bears gain enough weight to survive the winter, helping maintain a healthy and dominant bear population.